Wine drinkers in England are consuming about 2,000 calories just from booze each month, according to a new study. A significantly large proportion of these people are not aware of the calories that pile up when consuming wine. They are the equivalent to consuming an extra 38 roast beef dinners or 184 bags of crisps.

  • 42% of women do not know that a glass of white wine has the same number of calories as a bag of crisps, according to the Government’s Know Your Limits campaign.

  • Two large glasses of white wine represent more than the daily recommended alcohol limit for women.

  • At 370 calories, two large glasses of wine make up nearly one fifth of an average woman’s daily calorie allowance.

  • 40% of men not know that a pint of lager has the same number of calories as a sausage roll.

  • A man who consumes five pints of lager a week is consuming an extra 44,200 calories per year.

  • 5 pints of lager a week are equivalent to the calories of 221 doughnuts in one year.

  • 37% of drinkers say that alcohol triggers them to eat more.

  • Over a third of drinkers say that on a day they drink over the daily recommended limit they are much more likely to ditch a healthy diet.

  • 29% of drinkers order nuts, pork scratching, or crisps when they are having an alcoholic drink.

  • 19% of drinkers will regularly grab a takeaway (takeout) pizza, burger, kebab or bag of chips (French fries) when they consume over two glasses of wine or two pints of beer.

According to the new Know Your Limits figures, people tend to consume more calories the following morning.

62% of people who usually have muesli or a bowl of cereal for breakfast will go for less healthy options to help them through a hangover. 28% say they turn to a fry-up, bacon or sausage sandwich, or takeaway breakfast from a fast-food chain. Swapping a bowl of cereal for a fry-up can add an extra 450 calories, on top of the alcohol calories consumed the night before.

Health Minister, Phil Hope said “Regularly drinking more than our recommended daily limits can have a knock on effect on our health – including an expanding waistline. It’s not only the calories in the drinks themselves that can help to pile on the pounds, we’re also more likely to eat fatty foods when we’ve had one too many. To avoid piling on the pounds we should try to drink within the recommended limits, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.”

Heather Caswell, spokesperson for the British Nutrition Foundation said “Many women don’t know that two large glasses of white wine not only puts them over the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption, but also provides them with nearly 20 per cent of their daily calorie allowance, at approximately 370kcals in total. Most people would baulk at consuming a full glass of single cream, but wouldn’t think twice about a couple of pints. But the calorie content is similar and, over time, excess alcohol intake is likely to lead to weight gain. Sticking to sensible drinking habits and keeping to the recommended units will not only help keep off those extra pounds but will also help decrease your risk of serious health problems, such as some types of cancer and liver disease.”

  • Adhere to the maximum daily recommended units for alcohol consumption – 3 to 4 units per day for men and 2 to 3 units per day for women. A 250ml glass of wine with an alcohol content of 12% contains 3 units of alcohol, while a pint of beer with an alcohol content of 5.2% contains 3 units.

  • To prevent you becoming dehydrated, alternate between an alcoholic drink and a glass of water.

  • Try not to drink on an empty stomach. However, try to pick foods that are good for you.

  • Drink at your own pace rather than in rounds – you most likely consume more if you drink in rounds.

  • If you are trying to cut down your alcohol consumption, you are more likely to succeed long-term if you do so with a friend.

  • Have a healthy meal before you start drinking. You are less likely then to grab calorie filled snacks later on.

  • Take small sips rather than large gulps.

  • Do not save your units for the end of the week. If you do you are binge drinking – this is very bad for you.

  • Mix non-alcoholic liquids in with your drink. If you are having a glass of white wine add some soda water.

Know Your Limits is a joint Department of Health and Home Office initiative, launched in October 2006

Written by – Christian Nordqvist